A deeper understanding of the Japanese management system helps us to understand that management is culturally rooted and that there is more than one road to success.

Is Japan in, or is Japan out? What is the truth? Is there anything which the Western managers can learn from Japan? Let’s face the facts. Japan’s economy belongs to the most sophisticated economies in the world. Its global competitiveness has recently deteriorated slightly, but it is still ranked among the Top 10 countries in the world. If we look at the economic performance of Japan since World War II, the rise of its economy has been breathtaking and has been considered a miracle. Part of this success has been due to the specific Japanese management system, which is substantially different from the rest of the world.